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{{Short description|2002 play by Richard Greenberg}}
:''This article is about the play. For other meanings, see [[Take Me Out (disambiguation)]].''
{{Infobox play
| name = Take Me Out
| image = TakeMeOut.jpg
| writer = [[Richard Greenberg]]
| characters = {{ubl|Darren Lemming|Kippy Sunderstrom|Mason Marzac|Shane Mungitt|Davey Battle|Toddy Koovitz|Rodriguez|Martinez|Skipper|William R. Danziger|Jason Chenier|Takeshi Kawabata|Policemen}}
| setting = A baseball locker room
| premiere = 2002
| place = [[Donmar Warehouse]]<br>London, England
| orig_lang = English
| subject = [[Homophobia]], [[racism]], and [[Social class|class]] in [[sport]]
| genre = Drama
}}
'''''Take Me Out''''' is a [[Play (theatre)|play]] by American playwright [[Richard Greenberg]]. After a staging at the [[Donmar Warehouse]] in [[London]], it premiered [[Off-Broadway]] on September 5, 2002 at the [[Joseph Papp Public Theater]]. It made its [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] debut on February 27, 2003 at the [[Walter Kerr Theatre]], where it ran for 355 performances and won the 2003 [[Tony Award for Best Play]]. A Broadway revival opened at the [[Hayes Theater]] on April 4, 2022.


==Background==
'''Take Me Out''' is a [[Tony Award]]-winning play by [[Richard Greenberg]] which deals with [[homosexuality]] in [[baseball]].
While [[Glenn Burke]] was out to teammates and team owners in the 1970s and [[Billy Bean]] came out in 1999 after retiring from playing in [[Major League Baseball]] for eight seasons, at the time of the writing of this play no Major League Baseball player had ever come out to the public during his career. This play is the dramatic exploration of what such an event might be like.


Playwright Greenberg has stated that one of the compulsions for creating a baseball play was his complete immersion into the sport in 1999 after following the [[New York Yankees]]' (then-)record 114-win season the previous year, beginning with [[David Wells]]' [[Perfect game (baseball)|perfect game]].<ref>Drukman, Steven (October 2002). [http://www.tcg.org/publications/at/oct02/gotgame.cfm "Greenberg's Got Game"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101221009/https://www.tcg.org/publications/at/oct02/gotgame.cfm|date=2011-01-01}}. ''American Theatre''.</ref> Many believe the inspiration for Darren Lemming is former American Major League Baseball player [[Derek Jeter]] of the Yankees, and for racist pitcher Shane Mungitt, former [[National League (baseball)|National League]] pitcher [[John Rocker]], then of the [[Atlanta Braves]].<ref>{{cite news| last=Dominguez| first=Robert| date=September 6, 2002| title=He Leads the League in Controversy| newspaper=[[New York Daily News]]| url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102852108/daily-news/| access-date=May 30, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| last=Brantley| first=Brad| author-link=Ben Brantley| date=2003-02-28| title=Love Affair With Baseball And a Lot of Big Ideas| newspaper=[[The New York Times]]| url=http://theater.nytimes.com/mem/theater/treview.html|access-date=2010-12-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Stanislawski|first=Ethan|date=2009-04-09|title=The Top 10 Quotes from English-language Drama This Decade: 5-3|url=http://www.tynansanger.com/labels/derek%20jeter.html|access-date=2010-12-25|journal=Tynan's Anger}}</ref>
The play's main character, Darren Lemming, is a popular [[African American]] baseball player at the peak of his career when he decides to [[come out]]. Several of his teammates react strongly, and the [[drama]] plays out over the course of the baseball season with [[Tragedy|tragic]] consequences.


==Plot==
The play is set in a baseball [[Changeroom#Locker rooms|locker room]], and as such has an all-male cast and is usually produced with full-frontal male [[nudity]].
Much of the play is set in the locker room of a professional [[baseball]] team, and as such has an all-male cast that explores themes of [[homophobia]], [[racism]], [[Social class|class]], and [[masculinity]] in [[sport]]s.


===Act I===
The play explores themes of [[racism]], [[homophobia]], [[Social class|class]] and [[masculinity]] in [[sport]]. At the time of the writing of this play, no major-league baseball player had ever come out during his career, and this play is the dramatic exploration of what such an event might be like.
Darren Lemming, a star [[Multiracial|mixed-race]] [[center fielder]] for the fictional Empires [[Major League Baseball]] team, [[Coming out|comes out]] as gay. His friend and teammate Kippy Sunderstrom warns Darren that the team will feel uncomfortable about his sexual orientation, but is brushed off by Darren. As Kippy wonders why Darren chose that particular moment in time to come out, a flashback to a week earlier shows Darren having drinks with his best friend Davey Battle, a religious player on a rival team. Davey tells Darren that he should want his true nature known to the world. Later, Darren meets with his new accountant Mason Marzac, a gay man uninterested in baseball until Darren's coming out.


The Empires fall into a slump, prompting [[relief pitcher]] Shane Mungitt to be brought up from the minor leagues. Shane tells the team that as a child, he was raised in orphanages after his father killed his mother and then himself in a murder-suicide. The team begins winning games again, but in a television interview, Mungitt expresses his discomfort with "colored people" on the team, and that he has to shower every night with a "faggot."
== Awards ==

* Tony Award, Best Play, [[2003]]
===Act II===
* Tony Award, Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play (Denis O'Hare), 2003
Shane is suspended due to the interview, causing the team to fall back into its slump. He writes an apology letter that is leaked to the public, which combined with the details about his tragic childhood, causes public sympathy to shift in his favor. Shane returns to the team, despite Darren's threat to retire in protest. In the locker room showers, Darren derides Shane for his racism and homophobia, and mockingly kisses him. In the game, Shane is sent to pitch against Davey Battle; the ball [[Hit by pitch|hits Davey's head]], killing him.
* Tony Award, Best Direction of a Play (Joe Mantello), 2003

===Act III===
In a flashback to Darren and Davey's final encounter, Davey angrily accuses Darren of using his straight-and-narrow public reputation to conceal his sexuality. Shane is permanently suspended from major league baseball, and arrested for questioning after players say they heard him muttering about wanting to "kill someone" before the game. He refuses to speak to the police, stating that he will only talk to Kippy. Kippy is joined by Darren, and as Kippy attempts to determine whether the pitch that killed Davey was intentional, Shane discloses that the apology letter was written by Kippy on Shane's behalf.

In narration, Kippy states to the audience that the Empires went on to win the [[World Series]], and no charges were ever filed against Shane. Kippy expresses to Darren his desire to again be friends, and Darren invites Mason to the end-of-season party.


== Productions ==
== Productions ==
=== Premiere, 2002 ===
The world premeiere of Take Me Out was preseneted in a co-production by The Donmar Warehouse, London and The Public/New York Shakespeare Festival.
=== Broadway, 2003 ===
The Broadway premiere was at the Anspacher Theatre of the [[Joseph Papp Public Theater]] and later moved to the [[Walter Kerr]] on Broadway where it ran 355 performances and garnered a Tony Award.
* Produced by Carole Shorenstein Hays and Frederick De Mann
* Directed by [[Joe Mantello]] (Tony Award)
* Mason Marzac: Denis O'Hara (Tony Award)


=== San Francisco, 2004 ===
=== London (2002) ===
The show received its world premiere at the [[Donmar Warehouse]] in [[London]] on June 20, 2002.<ref>[http://www.donmarwarehouse.com/about/past-productions "Past Productions"] Donmar Warehouse. Accessed 2019-10-29.</ref> The production was directed by [[Joe Mantello]] and starred [[Daniel Sunjata]], [[Denis O'Hare]], [[Neal Huff]], [[Frederick Weller]], [[Kevin Carroll (actor)|Kevin Carroll]], [[Dominic Fumusa]], [[Gene Gabriel]], Robert M. Jimenez, [[Joe Lisi]], [[Kohl Sudduth]], and [[James Yaegashi]]. It ran until August 3 of the same year.
Best of Broadway in [[San Francisco]] staged a production of the play in late 2004 and early 2005 at the Golden Gate Theater.

* Darren Lemming: Michael Walton
The production transferred [[off-Broadway]] to the [[Joseph Papp Public Theater]] later that year with the same cast and direction where it ran until 2003.
* Shane Mungit: Harlon George

* Skipper: Jack Davison
=== Broadway (2003-2004) ===
* Kippy Sunderland: Doug Wert
The next year, the show transferred to the [[Walter Kerr Theatre]] on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] with the same cast<ref>Jones, Kenneth (2002-12-23). [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/76975-Original-Take-Me-Out-Cast-Minus-One-Will-Transfer-to-Bway-Run "Original Take Me Out' Cast, Minus One, Will Transfer to Bway Run"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112035817/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/76975-Original-Take-Me-Out-Cast-Minus-One-Will-Transfer-to-Bway-Run|date=2014-01-12}} ''[[Playbill]]''.</ref> with the exception of Dominic Fumusa, who was replaced by [[David Eigenberg]]. It opened on February 27, 2003. It featured designs by [[Scott Pask]] (scenic), [[Jess Goldstein]] (costume), [[Kevin Adams]] (lighting), and Janet Kalas (sound). At the [[2003 Tony Awards]], the production won the award for [[Tony Award for Best Play|Best Play]], Mantello won [[Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play|Best Direction of a Play]], and O'Hare won [[Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play|Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play]]. It closed on January 4, 2004 after 355 performances.
=== Toronto, 2005 ===

The Canadian premiere was at the CanStage Bluma Appel theater in Toronto from 10 January to 12 February 2005. Given the subject matter of the play, it is notable that the production was sponsored by the [[Toronto Blue Jays]].
=== Broadway revival (2022) ===
* Directed by Morris Panych
A Broadway [[Revival (theatre)|revival]] opened at the [[Hayes Theater]] on April 4, 2022. It was originally scheduled to begin previews on April 2, 2020 and officially open on April 23. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the show suspended production on March 12. The cast is made up of [[Jesse Williams (actor)|Jesse Williams]], [[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]], [[Patrick J. Adams]], Michael Oberholtzer, [[Brandon J. Dirden|Brandon L. Dirden]], Carl Lundstedt, Hiram Delgado, Ken Marks, Eduardo Ramos, Tyler Lansing Weaks, and [[Julian Cihi]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=Clement |first=Olivia |date=November 1, 2019 |title=Suits Star Patrick J. Adams Joins Broadway Revival of Take Me Out |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/suits-star-patrick-j-adams-joins-broadway-revival-of-take-me-out |journal=Playbill |access-date=2019-11-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Clement |first=Olivia |date=June 5, 2019 |title=Jesse Tyler Ferguson to Join Jesse Williams in Take Me Out on Broadway |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/jesse-tyler-ferguson-to-join-jesse-williams-in-take-me-out-on-broadway |magazine=Playbill |language=en |access-date=2019-06-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Joél Pérez, Brandon J. Dirden & More Complete Cast for TAKE ME OUT on Broadway |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Second-Stage-Theater-Announces-Complete-Casting-for-TAKE-ME-OUT-20191114 |access-date=2020-01-03 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=en}}</ref> The production is directed by [[Scott Ellis]] and has a production team including [[David Rockwell]] (scenic), Linda Cho (costumes), [[Kenneth Posner]] (lighting), and Fitz Patton (sound). The production began previews on March 10, 2022 and officially opened on April 4. It closed on June 11.<ref name="Playbill">{{cite web| author=Clement, Olivia| date=May 12, 2020| title=Check the Statuses of Broadway Shows During the Coronavirus Shutdown| magazine=Playbill| url=https://www.playbill.com/article/check-the-statuses-of-broadway-shows-during-the-coronavirus-shutdown| access-date=May 29, 2020}}</ref><ref name="nyti_Broa">{{cite news| last=Paulson| first=Michael| date=2020-03-12| title=Broadway Will Shut Down After Governor Limits Attendance| newspaper=[[The New York Times]]| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/theater/coronavirus-broadway-shutdown.html| access-date=2020-03-12| quote=Facing concern from actors and audiences about health risks during the pandemic, the industry announced that shows will be shuttered through April 12.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| last=McPhee| first=Ryan| date=May 7, 2021| title=2nd Stage to Bring Between Riverside and Crazy to Broadway, Joining Lynn Nottage Play and Take Me Out| url=http://www.playbill.com/article/2nd-stage-to-bring-between-riverside-and-crazy-to-broadway-joining-lynn-nottage-play-and-take-me-out| access-date=2021-05-08| magazine=Playbill| language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2021-12-17 |title='Take Me Out' pushes back Broadway previews to March 10 |url=https://broadwaynews.com/2021/12/17/take-me-out-pushes-back-broadway-previews-to-march-10/ |access-date=2022-03-03 |website=Broadway News |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Darren Lemming: Thom Allison

* Jason Chenier: Harry Crane
The Broadway revival had a very strict policy regarding phones and required that all audience members place their phones in locked [[Yondr]] pouches prior to the show. However, on May 9, 2022, a video leaked online of a scene of Williams during the shower scene in which he is fully nude. The [[Actors' Equity Association]], Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and 2nd Stage, owner the Helen Hayes Theater, released statements sharing their disgust. The latter stated they would be adding additional staff to enforce the "no phones" policy.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://people.com/theater/actors-equity-calls-jesse-williams-nude-video-leak-sexual-harassment-and-breach-of-consent/| title=Actors' Equity Calls Jesse Williams' Nude Video Leak 'Sexual Harassment' and a 'Breach of Consent'| first=Charmaine| last=Patterson| magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]]| date=May 11, 2022| accessdate=May 11, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.playbill.com/article/second-stage-pledges-to-add-staff-after-footage-of-take-me-out-leaks-online| title=Second Stage Pledges to Add Staff After Footage of Take Me Out Leaks Online| first=Logan| last=Culwell-Block| date=May 11, 2022| magazine=Playbill| accessdate=May 30, 2022}}</ref>
* Rodriguez: Darrell Dennis

* Teddy Koovitz/Guard: Aaron Franks
On June 12, 2022, the Broadway revival won Best Revival of a Play at the 75th Tony Awards.
* Skipper/William R. Danziger: Randy Hughson

* Davey Battle: Dion Johnstone
The revival was remounted at the [[Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre]] and began performances on October 27, 2022 for a limited run of 14 weeks.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Herrington |first=Nicole |date=2022-08-18 |title='Take Me Out' to Return to Broadway This Fall |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/18/theater/take-me-out-return-to-broadway.html |access-date=2022-08-18 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Due to previous filming engagement, Adams was unable to return and [[Bill Heck]] assumed the role of Kippy for the return engagement.
* Kippy Sunderstrom: Matthew MacFadzean

* Shane Mungitt: Mike Shara
=== Other productions ===
* Mason Marzac: David Storch
==== Singapore ====
* Takeshi Kawabata: Jovanni Sy

* Martinez: Andy Velaszquez
A limited-run production opened at the DBS Arts Centre in [[Singapore]] on January 8, 2014 and closed on January 31.
=== San Diego, 2005 ===

The Old Globe Theater in San Diego staged a production of the play from 15 January - 20 February 2005, directed by Joe Mantello, with several members of the original Broadway cast.
==Notable casts==
* Mason Marzac: T. Scott Cunningham
{| class="wikitable" style="width:11; text-align:center;"
* Skipper/William R. Danziger: Jack Davidson
|-
* Martinez/Policeman: Ramon Fernandez
! rowspan="2" style="width:9%;" | Character
* Rodriguez/Policeman: Gene Gabriel
! style="width:9%;" | London
* Shane Mungitt: Harlon George
! style="width:9%;" | Broadway
* Toddy Koovitz: Charlie Kevin
! style="width:9%;" | Singapore
* Davey Battle: Charles Parnell
! style="width:9%;" | Broadway Revival
* Jason Chenier: Terrence Riordan
|-
* Darren Lemming: M.D. Walton
!<small>2002</small>
* Kippy Sunderstrom: Doug Wert
!<small>2003</small>
* Takeshi Kawabata: Robert Wu
!<small>2014</small>
!<small>2022</small>
|-
! Darren Lemming
| colspan="2" | [[Daniel Sunjata]]
| Juan Jackson
| [[Jesse Williams (actor)|Jesse Williams]]
|-
! Mason Marzac
| colspan="2" | [[Denis O'Hare]]
| [[Hayden Tee]]
| [[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]]
|-
! Kippy Sunderstrom
| colspan="2" | [[Neal Huff]]
| Tim Garner
| [[Patrick J. Adams]]
|-
! Shane Mungitt
| colspan="2" | [[Frederick Weller]]
| Chris Bucko
| Michael Oberholtzer
|-
! Davey Battle
| colspan="2" | [[Kevin Carroll (actor)|Kevin Carroll]]
| Johnny James
| [[Brandon J. Dirden]]
|-
! Toddy Koovitz
| [[Dominic Fumusa]]
| [[David Eigenberg]]
| Seth Adams
| Carl Lundstedt
|-
! Rodriguez/Policeman
| colspan="2" | [[Gene Gabriel]]
| Ren Robles
| Eduardo Ramos
|-
! Martinez/Policeman
| colspan="2" | Robert M. Jimenez
| Jejie Esguerra
| Hiram Delgado
|-
! Skipper/William R. Danziger
| colspan="2" | [[Joe Lisi]]
| Paul Lucas
| Ken Marks
|-
! Jason Chenier
| colspan="2" | [[Kohl Sudduth]]
| Kynan Francis
| Tyler Lansing Weaks
|-
! Takeshi Kawabata
| colspan="2" | [[James Yaegashi]]
| Hiro Mizuhara
| [[Julian Cihi]]
|}

=== Notable replacements ===

==== Broadway Revival (2022) ====

* '''Kippy Sunderstrom:''' [[Bill Heck]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Greg |date=2022-09-15 |title=Bill Heck Joins Broadway's 'Take Me Out' Revival In Role Originally Played By Patrick J. Adams |url=https://deadline.com/2022/09/bill-heck-broadway-take-me-out-patrick-j-adams-1235119655/ |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Awards and nominations==

===Original Broadway production===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;" | Year
! scope="col" style="width:20em;"| Award
! scope="col" style="width:25em;"| Category
! scope="col" style="width:20em;"| Nominated work
! scope="col" style="width:5em;" | Result
|-
| rowspan=16 align="center"| 2003
| rowspan=4| [[Tony Award]]
| colspan=2| [[Tony Award for Best Play|Best Play]]
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan=2| [[Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play|Best Featured Actor in a Play]]
| [[Denis O'Hare]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Daniel Sunjata]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play|Best Direction of a Play]]
| [[Joe Mantello]]
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan=8| [[Drama Desk Award]]
| colspan=2| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play|Outstanding Play]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play|Outstanding Actor in a Play]]
| [[Daniel Sunjata]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director of a Play|Outstanding Director of a Play]]
| [[Joe Mantello]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=2| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play|Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play]]
| [[Denis O'Hare]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Frederick Weller]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Set Design|Outstanding Set Design]]
| [[Scott Pask]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Sound Design|Outstanding Sound Design in a Play]]
| Janet Kalas
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lighting Design|Outstanding Lighting Design]]
| [[Kevin Adams]]
| {{Nom}}
|-
| [[Drama League Award]]
| colspan=2| Drama League Award for Distinguished Production of a Play
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Lucille Lortel Award]]
| colspan=2| Outstanding Play
| {{won}}
|-
| [[New York Drama Critics' Circle Award]]
| colspan=2| Best Play
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Pulitzer Prize]]
| colspan=2| [[Pulitzer Prize for Drama]]
| {{nom}}
|-
|}

=== 2022 Broadway Revival ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;" | Year
! scope="col" style="width:20em;"| Award
! scope="col" style="width:25em;"| Category
! scope="col" style="width:20em;"| Nominated work
! scope="col" style="width:5em;" | Result
|-
| rowspan="14" | 2022
| rowspan="4" | [[75th Tony Awards|Tony Awards]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Paulson |first=Michael |date=May 9, 2022 |title=Tony Nominations 2022 Live Updates: 'A Strange Loop' Leads With 11, Including Best Musical |language=en-US |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/05/09/theater/tony-awards |access-date=May 9, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
| colspan="2" | [[Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play|Best Revival of a Play]]
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play|Best Featured Actor in a Play]]
| [[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]]
| {{Won}}
|-won
| Michael Oberholtzer
| {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[Jesse Williams (actor)|Jesse Williams]]
| {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award|Drama Desk Awards]]
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play|Outstanding Actor in a Play]]
| [[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]]
| {{Nominated}}
|-
| rowspan="3" | [[Drama League Award]]s<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosky |first=Nicole |title=2022 Drama League Awards Nominations Announced- Full List! |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/2022-Drama-League-Awards-Nominations-Announced--Full-List-20220425 |access-date=April 26, 2022 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=en}}</ref>
| colspan="2" | Outstanding Revival of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |Distinguished Performance Award
| [[Jesse Williams (actor)|Jesse Williams]]
| {{nominated}}
|-
| [[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]]
| {{nominated}}
|-
| rowspan="5" | [[Outer Critics Circle Award]]s<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Lehman Trilogy, Kimberly Akimbo & Harmony Lead 2022 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations |url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/202121/the-lehman-trilogy-kimberly-akimbo-harmony-lead-2022-outer-critics-circle-award-nominations/ |access-date=April 26, 2022 |website=Broadway.com |language=en}}</ref>
| colspan="2" | Outstanding Revival of a Play (Broadway or Off-Broadway)
| {{won}}
|-
| Outstanding Actor in a Play
| [[Patrick J. Adams|Patrick J Adams]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play
| [[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]]
| {{won}}
|-
| Michael Oberholtzer
| {{nom}}
|-
| Outstanding Director of a Play
| [[Scott Ellis]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| colspan="2" | [[Theatre World Award]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 6, 2022 |title=Theatre World Awards 2022 |url=https://newyorktheater.me/2022/05/06/theatre-world-awards-2022/ |access-date=May 6, 2022 |website=New York Theater |language=en-US}}</ref>
| [[Patrick J. Adams|Patrick J Adams]]
| {{won|Honoree}}
|}

== TV series ==
In August 2021, it was reported that [[Anonymous Content]] would be adapting the play into a limited television series. Jesse Williams will star and Scott Ellis will direct the pilot written by Greenberg.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jesse Williams To Star In TV Adaptation Of 'Take Me Out' Play From Anonymous Content|url=https://deadline.com/2021/08/jesse-williams-tv-adaptation-of-take-me-out-play-anonymous-content-1234811625/|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|first=Peter|last=White|date=August 9, 2021}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |last=Greenberg |first=Richard |title=Take Me Out: A Play |location=New York |publisher=Faber and Faber |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-8222-1993-4 |oclc=52722075 |url=https://archive.org/details/takemeoutplay0000gree|url-access=registration }}

==External links==
* {{IBDB show}}
* {{IOBDB title}}


{{Navboxes
=== Philadelphia, 2005 ===
|title = Awards for ''Take Me Out''
The Philadelphia Theatre Company will stage a production of the play from 13 May - 12 June 2005, directed by James J. Christy.
|list =
{{DramaDesk Play}}
{{TonyAward Play}}
{{TonyAward PlayRevival}}
}}


[[Category:2002 plays]]
== Sources ==
[[Category:Broadway plays]]
* ''Performance'', playbill from the 2005 Toronto production
[[Category:Drama Desk Award–winning plays]]
* [http://web.playbill.com/news/article/80021.html Playbill.com]
[[Category:LGBTQ-related plays]]
* [http://www.talkinbroadway.com/world/TakeMeOut.html Talkin' Broadway review of Broadway production]
[[Category:New York Drama Critics' Circle Award winners]]
* [http://www.talkinbroadway.com/regional/sanfran/s567.html Talkin' Broadway review of San Francisco production]
[[Category:Off-Broadway plays]]
* [http://www.phillytheatreco.com/2005/takemeout.html Philadelphia Theatre Company]
[[Category:Plays by Richard Greenberg]]
* [http://www.theoldglobe.org/pdf/TakeMeOut.pdf San Diego - The Old Globe production]
[[Category:Tony Award–winning plays]]
* ''Take Me Out'', Paperback, 128 pages, Faber & Faber; 1st edition (August 6, 2003); ISBN 0571211186
[[Category:West End plays]]
[[Category:Plays about sport]]
[[Category:Plays adapted into television shows]]

Latest revision as of 02:10, 28 December 2024

Take Me Out
Written byRichard Greenberg
Characters
  • Darren Lemming
  • Kippy Sunderstrom
  • Mason Marzac
  • Shane Mungitt
  • Davey Battle
  • Toddy Koovitz
  • Rodriguez
  • Martinez
  • Skipper
  • William R. Danziger
  • Jason Chenier
  • Takeshi Kawabata
  • Policemen
Date premiered2002
Place premieredDonmar Warehouse
London, England
Original languageEnglish
SubjectHomophobia, racism, and class in sport
GenreDrama
SettingA baseball locker room

Take Me Out is a play by American playwright Richard Greenberg. After a staging at the Donmar Warehouse in London, it premiered Off-Broadway on September 5, 2002 at the Joseph Papp Public Theater. It made its Broadway debut on February 27, 2003 at the Walter Kerr Theatre, where it ran for 355 performances and won the 2003 Tony Award for Best Play. A Broadway revival opened at the Hayes Theater on April 4, 2022.

Background

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While Glenn Burke was out to teammates and team owners in the 1970s and Billy Bean came out in 1999 after retiring from playing in Major League Baseball for eight seasons, at the time of the writing of this play no Major League Baseball player had ever come out to the public during his career. This play is the dramatic exploration of what such an event might be like.

Playwright Greenberg has stated that one of the compulsions for creating a baseball play was his complete immersion into the sport in 1999 after following the New York Yankees' (then-)record 114-win season the previous year, beginning with David Wells' perfect game.[1] Many believe the inspiration for Darren Lemming is former American Major League Baseball player Derek Jeter of the Yankees, and for racist pitcher Shane Mungitt, former National League pitcher John Rocker, then of the Atlanta Braves.[2][3][4]

Plot

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Much of the play is set in the locker room of a professional baseball team, and as such has an all-male cast that explores themes of homophobia, racism, class, and masculinity in sports.

Act I

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Darren Lemming, a star mixed-race center fielder for the fictional Empires Major League Baseball team, comes out as gay. His friend and teammate Kippy Sunderstrom warns Darren that the team will feel uncomfortable about his sexual orientation, but is brushed off by Darren. As Kippy wonders why Darren chose that particular moment in time to come out, a flashback to a week earlier shows Darren having drinks with his best friend Davey Battle, a religious player on a rival team. Davey tells Darren that he should want his true nature known to the world. Later, Darren meets with his new accountant Mason Marzac, a gay man uninterested in baseball until Darren's coming out.

The Empires fall into a slump, prompting relief pitcher Shane Mungitt to be brought up from the minor leagues. Shane tells the team that as a child, he was raised in orphanages after his father killed his mother and then himself in a murder-suicide. The team begins winning games again, but in a television interview, Mungitt expresses his discomfort with "colored people" on the team, and that he has to shower every night with a "faggot."

Act II

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Shane is suspended due to the interview, causing the team to fall back into its slump. He writes an apology letter that is leaked to the public, which combined with the details about his tragic childhood, causes public sympathy to shift in his favor. Shane returns to the team, despite Darren's threat to retire in protest. In the locker room showers, Darren derides Shane for his racism and homophobia, and mockingly kisses him. In the game, Shane is sent to pitch against Davey Battle; the ball hits Davey's head, killing him.

Act III

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In a flashback to Darren and Davey's final encounter, Davey angrily accuses Darren of using his straight-and-narrow public reputation to conceal his sexuality. Shane is permanently suspended from major league baseball, and arrested for questioning after players say they heard him muttering about wanting to "kill someone" before the game. He refuses to speak to the police, stating that he will only talk to Kippy. Kippy is joined by Darren, and as Kippy attempts to determine whether the pitch that killed Davey was intentional, Shane discloses that the apology letter was written by Kippy on Shane's behalf.

In narration, Kippy states to the audience that the Empires went on to win the World Series, and no charges were ever filed against Shane. Kippy expresses to Darren his desire to again be friends, and Darren invites Mason to the end-of-season party.

Productions

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London (2002)

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The show received its world premiere at the Donmar Warehouse in London on June 20, 2002.[5] The production was directed by Joe Mantello and starred Daniel Sunjata, Denis O'Hare, Neal Huff, Frederick Weller, Kevin Carroll, Dominic Fumusa, Gene Gabriel, Robert M. Jimenez, Joe Lisi, Kohl Sudduth, and James Yaegashi. It ran until August 3 of the same year.

The production transferred off-Broadway to the Joseph Papp Public Theater later that year with the same cast and direction where it ran until 2003.

Broadway (2003-2004)

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The next year, the show transferred to the Walter Kerr Theatre on Broadway with the same cast[6] with the exception of Dominic Fumusa, who was replaced by David Eigenberg. It opened on February 27, 2003. It featured designs by Scott Pask (scenic), Jess Goldstein (costume), Kevin Adams (lighting), and Janet Kalas (sound). At the 2003 Tony Awards, the production won the award for Best Play, Mantello won Best Direction of a Play, and O'Hare won Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play. It closed on January 4, 2004 after 355 performances.

Broadway revival (2022)

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A Broadway revival opened at the Hayes Theater on April 4, 2022. It was originally scheduled to begin previews on April 2, 2020 and officially open on April 23. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the show suspended production on March 12. The cast is made up of Jesse Williams, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Patrick J. Adams, Michael Oberholtzer, Brandon L. Dirden, Carl Lundstedt, Hiram Delgado, Ken Marks, Eduardo Ramos, Tyler Lansing Weaks, and Julian Cihi.[7][8][9] The production is directed by Scott Ellis and has a production team including David Rockwell (scenic), Linda Cho (costumes), Kenneth Posner (lighting), and Fitz Patton (sound). The production began previews on March 10, 2022 and officially opened on April 4. It closed on June 11.[10][11][12][13]

The Broadway revival had a very strict policy regarding phones and required that all audience members place their phones in locked Yondr pouches prior to the show. However, on May 9, 2022, a video leaked online of a scene of Williams during the shower scene in which he is fully nude. The Actors' Equity Association, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and 2nd Stage, owner the Helen Hayes Theater, released statements sharing their disgust. The latter stated they would be adding additional staff to enforce the "no phones" policy.[14][15]

On June 12, 2022, the Broadway revival won Best Revival of a Play at the 75th Tony Awards.

The revival was remounted at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre and began performances on October 27, 2022 for a limited run of 14 weeks.[16] Due to previous filming engagement, Adams was unable to return and Bill Heck assumed the role of Kippy for the return engagement.

Other productions

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Singapore

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A limited-run production opened at the DBS Arts Centre in Singapore on January 8, 2014 and closed on January 31.

Notable casts

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Character London Broadway Singapore Broadway Revival
2002 2003 2014 2022
Darren Lemming Daniel Sunjata Juan Jackson Jesse Williams
Mason Marzac Denis O'Hare Hayden Tee Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Kippy Sunderstrom Neal Huff Tim Garner Patrick J. Adams
Shane Mungitt Frederick Weller Chris Bucko Michael Oberholtzer
Davey Battle Kevin Carroll Johnny James Brandon J. Dirden
Toddy Koovitz Dominic Fumusa David Eigenberg Seth Adams Carl Lundstedt
Rodriguez/Policeman Gene Gabriel Ren Robles Eduardo Ramos
Martinez/Policeman Robert M. Jimenez Jejie Esguerra Hiram Delgado
Skipper/William R. Danziger Joe Lisi Paul Lucas Ken Marks
Jason Chenier Kohl Sudduth Kynan Francis Tyler Lansing Weaks
Takeshi Kawabata James Yaegashi Hiro Mizuhara Julian Cihi

Notable replacements

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Broadway Revival (2022)

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Awards and nominations

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Original Broadway production

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Year Award Category Nominated work Result
2003 Tony Award Best Play Won
Best Featured Actor in a Play Denis O'Hare Won
Daniel Sunjata Nominated
Best Direction of a Play Joe Mantello Won
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Play Won
Outstanding Actor in a Play Daniel Sunjata Nominated
Outstanding Director of a Play Joe Mantello Nominated
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play Denis O'Hare Won
Frederick Weller Nominated
Outstanding Set Design Scott Pask Nominated
Outstanding Sound Design in a Play Janet Kalas Nominated
Outstanding Lighting Design Kevin Adams Nominated
Drama League Award Drama League Award for Distinguished Production of a Play Won
Lucille Lortel Award Outstanding Play Won
New York Drama Critics' Circle Award Best Play Won
Pulitzer Prize Pulitzer Prize for Drama Nominated

2022 Broadway Revival

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Year Award Category Nominated work Result
2022 Tony Awards[18] Best Revival of a Play Won
Best Featured Actor in a Play Jesse Tyler Ferguson Won
Michael Oberholtzer Nominated
Jesse Williams Nominated
Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Actor in a Play Jesse Tyler Ferguson Nominated
Drama League Awards[19] Outstanding Revival of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play Won
Distinguished Performance Award Jesse Williams Nominated
Jesse Tyler Ferguson Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Awards[20] Outstanding Revival of a Play (Broadway or Off-Broadway) Won
Outstanding Actor in a Play Patrick J Adams Nominated
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play Jesse Tyler Ferguson Won
Michael Oberholtzer Nominated
Outstanding Director of a Play Scott Ellis Nominated
Theatre World Award[21] Patrick J Adams Honoree

TV series

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In August 2021, it was reported that Anonymous Content would be adapting the play into a limited television series. Jesse Williams will star and Scott Ellis will direct the pilot written by Greenberg.[22]

References

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  1. ^ Drukman, Steven (October 2002). "Greenberg's Got Game". Archived 2011-01-01 at the Wayback Machine. American Theatre.
  2. ^ Dominguez, Robert (September 6, 2002). "He Leads the League in Controversy". New York Daily News. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  3. ^ Brantley, Brad (2003-02-28). "Love Affair With Baseball And a Lot of Big Ideas". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-12-25.
  4. ^ Stanislawski, Ethan (2009-04-09). "The Top 10 Quotes from English-language Drama This Decade: 5-3". Tynan's Anger. Retrieved 2010-12-25.
  5. ^ "Past Productions" Donmar Warehouse. Accessed 2019-10-29.
  6. ^ Jones, Kenneth (2002-12-23). "Original Take Me Out' Cast, Minus One, Will Transfer to Bway Run". Archived 2014-01-12 at the Wayback Machine Playbill.
  7. ^ Clement, Olivia (November 1, 2019). "Suits Star Patrick J. Adams Joins Broadway Revival of Take Me Out". Playbill. Retrieved 2019-11-01.
  8. ^ Clement, Olivia (June 5, 2019). "Jesse Tyler Ferguson to Join Jesse Williams in Take Me Out on Broadway". Playbill. Retrieved 2019-06-13.
  9. ^ "Joél Pérez, Brandon J. Dirden & More Complete Cast for TAKE ME OUT on Broadway". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2020-01-03.
  10. ^ Clement, Olivia (May 12, 2020). "Check the Statuses of Broadway Shows During the Coronavirus Shutdown". Playbill. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  11. ^ Paulson, Michael (2020-03-12). "Broadway Will Shut Down After Governor Limits Attendance". The New York Times. Retrieved 2020-03-12. Facing concern from actors and audiences about health risks during the pandemic, the industry announced that shows will be shuttered through April 12.
  12. ^ McPhee, Ryan (May 7, 2021). "2nd Stage to Bring Between Riverside and Crazy to Broadway, Joining Lynn Nottage Play and Take Me Out". Playbill. Retrieved 2021-05-08.
  13. ^ "'Take Me Out' pushes back Broadway previews to March 10". Broadway News. 2021-12-17. Retrieved 2022-03-03.
  14. ^ Patterson, Charmaine (May 11, 2022). "Actors' Equity Calls Jesse Williams' Nude Video Leak 'Sexual Harassment' and a 'Breach of Consent'". People. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  15. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (May 11, 2022). "Second Stage Pledges to Add Staff After Footage of Take Me Out Leaks Online". Playbill. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  16. ^ Herrington, Nicole (2022-08-18). "'Take Me Out' to Return to Broadway This Fall". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  17. ^ Evans, Greg (2022-09-15). "Bill Heck Joins Broadway's 'Take Me Out' Revival In Role Originally Played By Patrick J. Adams". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
  18. ^ Paulson, Michael (May 9, 2022). "Tony Nominations 2022 Live Updates: 'A Strange Loop' Leads With 11, Including Best Musical". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  19. ^ Rosky, Nicole. "2022 Drama League Awards Nominations Announced- Full List!". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  20. ^ "The Lehman Trilogy, Kimberly Akimbo & Harmony Lead 2022 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  21. ^ "Theatre World Awards 2022". New York Theater. May 6, 2022. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  22. ^ White, Peter (August 9, 2021). "Jesse Williams To Star In TV Adaptation Of 'Take Me Out' Play From Anonymous Content". Deadline Hollywood.

Further reading

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